**Trump administration actions and statements since Maduro’s January 2026 ouster have cooled any prospect of an endorsement for Machado.** After U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro, acting President Delcy Rodríguez assumed power under U.S.-backed stabilization efforts, and Trump publicly questioned Machado’s domestic support and respect within Venezuela, describing leadership challenges for her. Officials later criticized her post-earthquake return attempts as political opportunism that risked complicating relief and diplomacy. Trump personally advised Machado against returning home amid security concerns and has prioritized relations with the interim government and phased transition talks involving the National Assembly and opposition figures other than Machado. These talks, launched in mid-2026 with U.S. support, focus on institutional reforms and eventual elections rather than elevating Machado. Polls show her competitive among Venezuelans, yet trader pricing reflects the consistent pattern of U.S. preference for Rodríguez-led stability over direct endorsement of the barred 2024 opposition leader. No recent diplomatic or campaign signals have altered this positioning.